A man who came in contact with Thomas Eric Duncan, the first man to be diagnosed with Ebola on U.S. soil, is said to be at risk of contracting the virus.
Sgt. Michael Monnig of the Dallas County Sheriffs Office is reported to be at “minimal” risk of Ebola. Monnig was taken to Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Wednesday amongst fears that he had been exposed to the Ebola virus.
According to the Huffington Post:
Monnig had been in the apartment Thomas Eric Duncan was staying in before he was hospitalized and diagnosed with Ebola, NBC Dallas-Fort Worth reported.
WFAA reported that Monnig went into the apartment without wearing protective gear in order to have a quarantine order signed.
Monnig’s son Logan said Wednesday his father had been monitoring his own temperature since last week and had been experiencing fatigue and stomach pain, so he decided to get checked out at a clinic to be safe.
“He spent very little time in the apartment, and he did not come in contact with Mr. Duncan or any bodily fluids,” Logan Monnig told the Dallas Morning News. “We’re just waiting for the facts right now to make sure he’s OK.”
Monnig visited CareNow, an urgent care facility, before being taken to the hospital. There he told workers that he had been in Duncan’s apartment. In a screening at CareNow, Monnig checked “yes” to one of the questions regarding travel to West Africa.
Doctors and staff at CareNow, as well as those in the lobby, were evaluated and released, declining any further care.
Fire Chief Mark Piland Frisco said Monnig was “minus a few” symptoms of Ebola, but displayed enough to trigger the preliminary screening process. For this reason, Monnig will be monitored for 48 hours.
It cannot be confirmed whether or not Monnig has definite Ebola symptoms, or if contact with Duncan was direct. Authorities are proceeding “with an abundance of caution.”
“Right now, there are more questions than answers about this case,” the statement reads. “Our professional staff of nurses and doctors is prepared to examine the patient, discuss any findings with appropriate agencies and officials.”
A CareNow spokeswoman said in a statement:
We’re being very cautious, and we’re in contact with the health department to ensure that we follow proper protocol,” Johnson said. “Basically, our concern is for the safety and well-being of everyone in the clinic.”
The state of Texas had been monitoring 48 people who may have come into contact with Duncan. It is important to note Monnig was not among them. None of the 48 have displayed any symptoms as of yet.
SOURCE: Huffington Post | PHOTO CREDIT: Getty
